第 66 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2021-02-20 14:16      字数:9322
  them all with equal care。 '16' On the march he varied the order
  constantly to suit the needs of the moment; but for the camp; as a
  rule; he adopted the plan we have described。
  '17' And now when the march had brought them into Media; Cyrus turned
  aside to visit Cyaxares。 After they had met and embraced; Cyrus began
  by telling Cyaxares that a palace in Babylon; and an estate; had been
  set aside for him so that he might have a residence of his own
  whenever he came there; and he offered him other gifts; most rich and
  beautiful。 '18' And Cyaxares was glad to take them from his nephew;
  and then he sent for his daughter; and she came; carrying a golden
  crown; and bracelets; and a necklace of wrought gold; and a most
  beautiful Median robe; as splendid as could be。 '19' The maiden placed
  the crown upon the head of Cyrus; and as she did so Cyaxares said:
  〃I will give her to you; Cyrus; my own daughter; to be your wife。 Your
  father wedded the daughter of my father; and you are their son; and
  this is the little maid whom you carried in your arms when you were
  with us as a lad; and whenever she was asked whom she meant to marry;
  she would always answer 'Cyrus。' And for her dowry I will give her the
  whole of Media: since I have no lawful son。〃
  '20' So he spoke; and Cyrus answered:
  〃Cyaxares; I can but thank you myself for all you offer me; the
  kinship and the maiden and the gifts; but I must lay the matter before
  my father and my mother before I accept; and then we will thank you
  together。〃
  That was what Cyrus said; but none the less he gave the maiden the
  gifts he thought would please her father。 And when he had done so; he
  marched on home to Persia。
  '21' And when he reached the borders of his fatherland; he left the
  mass of his troops on the frontier; and went forward alone with his
  friends to the city; leading victims enough for all the Persians to
  sacrifice and hold high festival。 And he brought special gifts for his
  father and his mother and his friends of old; and for the high
  officers of state; the elders; and all the Persian Peers; and he gave
  every Persian man and every Persian woman such bounties as the king
  confers to…day whenever he visits Persia。 '22' After this Cambyses
  gathered together the elders of the land and the chief officers; who
  have authority in the highest matters; and spoke as follows:
  〃Men of Persia; and Cyrus; my son; both of you are dear to me and must
  needs be dear; I am the king of my people and the father of my son;
  therefore I am bound to lay before you openly all that I believe to be
  for the good of both。 '23' In the past the nation has done great
  things for Cyrus by giving him an army and appointing him the leader;
  and Cyrus; God helping him; has made my Persians famous in all the
  world by his leadership; and crowned you with glory in Asia。 Of those
  who served with him he has made the bravest wealthy for life; and
  given sustenance and full pay to numbers。 By founding the cavalry he
  has won the plains for Persia。 '24' If your hearts are still the same
  in future; all of you will bless each other: but if you; my son; would
  be puffed up by your present fortune and attempt to rule the Persians
  for your own advantage as you rule the rest of the world; or if you;
  my people; should envy this man's power and try to drive him from his
  throne; I tell you; you will cut each other off from many precious
  things。 '25' Therefore; that this should never be; and only good be
  yours; I counsel you to offer sacrifice together; and call the gods to
  witness and make a covenant。 You; Cyrus; shall vow to resist with all
  your strength any man who attacks our land of Persia or tries to
  overthrow our laws; and you; my people; must promise that if rebels
  attempt to depose Cyrus or if his subjects revolt; you will render aid
  to him and to yourselves in whatever way he wishes。 '26' Now; so long
  as I live; the kingdom of Persia is and continues mine; but when I die
  it passes to Cyrus if he is still alive; and whenever he visits Persia
  it should be a holy custom for him to offer sacrifice on your behalf;
  even as I do now; and when he is abroad; it will be well for you; I
  think; if the member of our family whom you count the noblest fulfils
  the sacred rites。〃
  '27' Cambyses ended; and Cyrus and the officers of Persia agreed to
  all he said。 They made the covenant and called the gods to witness;
  and to this day they keep it still; the Persians and the Great King。
  And when it was done; Cyrus took his leave and came back to Media。
  '28' There; with the full consent of his father and his mother; he
  wedded the daughter of Cyaxares; the fame of whose beauty has lasted
  to this day。 And after the marriage his steeds were yoked and they set
  out for Babylon。
  'C。6' When he was in Babylon once more; he thought it would be well to
  appoint satraps and set them over the conquered tribes。 Yet he did not
  wish the commandants in the citadels and the captains in charge of the
  garrisons throughout the country to be under any authority but his
  own。 Herein he showed his foresight; realising that if any satrap
  became insolent and rebellious; relying on his own wealth and the
  numbers at his back; he would at once find a power to oppose him
  within his own district。 '2' In order to carry out this plan; Cyrus
  resolved to summon a council of the leading men and explain the terms
  on which the satraps who went would go。 In this way; he thought; they
  would not feel aggrieved; whereas; if a man found himself appointed
  and then learnt the restrictions for the first time; he might well
  take it ill; fancying it a sign of personal mistrust。 '3' So it was
  that Cyrus called a council and spoke as follows:
  〃Gentlemen and friends of mine; you are aware that we have garrisons
  and commandants in the cities we conquered; stationed there at the
  time。 I left them with orders simply to guard the fortifications and
  not meddle with anything else。 Now I do not wish to remove them from
  their commands; for they have done their duty nobly; but I propose to
  send others; satraps; who will govern the inhabitants; receive the
  tribute; give the garrisons their pay; and discharge all necessary
  dues。 '4' Further; I think it right that certain of you who live here
  and yet on whom I may lay the task of travelling to these nations and
  working for me among them; should possess houses there and estates;
  where tribute may be brought them; and where they may find a place of
  their own to lodge in。〃
  '5' With these words he assigned houses and districts to many of his
  friends among the lands he had subdued: and to this day their
  descendants possess the estates; although they reside at court
  themselves。 '6' 〃Now;〃 he added; 〃we must choose for the satraps who
  are to go abroad persons who will not forget to send us anything of
  value in their districts; so that we who are at home may share in all
  the wealth of the world。 For if any danger comes; it is we who must
  ward it off。〃
  '7' With that he ended for the time; but later on when he came to know
  what friends of his were ready and willing to go on the terms
  prescribed; he selected those he thought best qualified for the work;
  and sent Magabazus to Arabia; Artabatas to Cappadocia; Artacamas to
  Greater Phrygia; Chrysantas to Lydia and Susia; Adousius; whom the
  Carians had asked for themselves; to Caria; and Pharnouchus to Aeolia
  and Phrygia by the Hellespont。
  '8' But to Cilicia; Cyprus; and Paphlagonia; Cyrus sent no satraps;
  because they had shown their willingness to march against Babylon;
  tribute; however; was imposed on them as on the others。 '9' In
  accordance with the rules then laid down by Cyrus; the citadel
  garrisons and the captains…of…the…guard are to this day appointed
  directly by the king; and have their names on the royal list。 '10' All
  satraps whom Cyprus sent out were ordered to do as they saw him doing:
  each was to raise a body of cavalry and a chariot…force from the
  Persians and the allies who went out with him; and all who received
  grants of land and official residences were to present themselves at
  the palace…gates; study temperance and self…control; and hold
  themselves in readiness for the service of their satrap。 Their boys
  were to be educated at the gates; as with Cyrus; and the satrap was to
  lead his nobles out to hunt; and train himself and his followers in
  the art of war。 '11' 〃Whichever of you;〃 Cyrus added; 〃can show the
  greatest number of chariots in proportion to his power; and the
  largest and finest body of cavalry; I will honour him as my best ally
  and most faithful fellow…guardian of the Persian empire。 Let the best
  men always have the preference at your courts as they have at mine;
  give them seats of honour as I do; and let your table be spread; as
  mine is; not only for your own household; but for your friends also;
  and for the honour of him who may accomplish any noble deed。 '12' You
  must lay out parks and breed game; and never touch food until you have
  toiled for it; nor give your horses fodder until they have been
  exercised。 I am but a single man; with only human strength and human
  virtue; and I could not by myself preserve the good things that are
  yours: I must have good comrad